James "Jim" Bell

Bell, James Jimpassed away peacefully on May 12, 2015, at the age of 77, surrounded by family. He was born in Buffalo, New York on April 5, 1938 to Bernard J. Bell and Margaret Zink Bell. Jim graduated from Lancaster High School, triple lettering in baseball, basketball and football. He earned a degree in economics from the University of Florida. An avid golfer, Jim chaired the East Aurora Country Club's Junior Golf Invitational, growing it to include junior golfers from around the globe. In 1978 he joined Arnold Palmer Enterprises as Tournament Director of The Bay Hill Invitational, piloting this high-profile PGA tour stop since its inception for 27 years. Jim served as president of the American Golf Sponsors and as a member of the Board of Directors for the American Junior Golf Association. A devoted family man and friend, he will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife, J. Gail McCutcheon Bell and his children Susan Duvenhage (Ian) of Nashville, TN; Darci Hand Pool (Hap) of Vail, CO; Melinda Jay Bell of Orlando, FL, James "Jimmy" Bell, Jr. of Orlando, FL and grandsons Nicholas and Michael Hand. He is also survived his sister Belinda Kimmick and niece Kristen Kimmick of Orchard Park, NY. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Jim's honor to: The Jim Bell Memorial ACE Grant, c/o American Junior Golf Association at 1980 Sports Club Drive, Braselton, GA 30517 (www.ajga.org/donations/jimbell); Orlando Health Foundation at 3160 Southgate Commerce Blvd., Suite 50, Orlando, FL 32806 or Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation at 12902 Magnolia Drive, MBC Found, Tampa, FL 33612. Arrangements for a memorial celebration are pending. See more at: www.dobbsfuneralhome.com